When There Was Her

by K.C. Lake

A man whose scars run as deep as the ocean. A ray of sunshine who unexpectedly captures his heart. One decision that could capsize their love.

1982, Oakland, California. Mick Callahan is desperate to escape his stagnant existence. Scarred by his tumultuous childhood, the jaded car mechanic walls himself off from love and settles for the occasional hookup. But he’s completely thrown off his axis when he meets the gorgeous new girl working next door.

Despite his skepticism, he falls hard for the golden-eyed angel who radiates light into his darkness. Yet just as he dares hope they could be more, an emergency forces a split—and his best friend swoops in and steals her affection. Navigating those murky waters unleashes an emotional hurricane, tumbling Mick into the eye of the storm.

When their profound love is threatened, is Mick too broken to fight for what he truly desires?

Recalling the days of muscle car culture and low-tech times, K.C. Lake delivers an intimate story of potent first love and the choices that break us. When There Was Her is the third propulsive book in the California Dreaming contemporary romance series and told in Mick’s solo POV. If you like fast friends to lovers, emotional love triangles, and found family vibes, this steamy, angsty love story delivers all the feels.

402 pages, Paperback

About the author

K.C. Lake writes angsty, realistic love stories packed with heart and heat. California Dreaming is her first romance series. An avid romance reader, her shelves are lined with trophies, and her TBR is out of control (then again, size matters). She lives with her grumpy, touch-her-and-die, non-billionaire husband and dog in the beautiful wilds of Virginia. Connect @kclake_romance.

Reviews

[Lara Loves Lit · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one had me ugly crying more than once as Mick’s story crushed my heart again and again. The emotional wreckage was beautifully written, and getting Mick’s POV added so much more depth to the characters’ story. I am not ok and need Mick to get his heart’s desire and HEA.

This one does have a love triangle, but hear me out. It is handled so well, and the relationships just made sense in such an organic fashion that I didn’t even really feel it was a love triangle, so if those aren’t usually for you, don’t let that keep you from this incredible story.

Ok, now that I’ve got that out of the way, let’s talk about the MMC, Mick. The level of responsibility and sacrifice his character endures is just heart wrenching. He literally puts everyone else’s needs above his own and not in a ‘woe is me’ way. His past drives his inability to realize that he is lovable just as he is and therefore, he won’t let himself have what he wants most—Jaqui, the sunshine to his darkness. You can’t help but fall for a man who makes it his job to ensure he knows how to give his woman pleasure.

The 80’s drug scene is presented with such accuracy and compassion you know it comes from living during the times, and it vividly shows the level of destruction it wrought on so many lives—not just to those addicted, but to their loved ones.
K.C. Lake writes with such heart that you viscerally feel the torment her characters experience and create a bond with them.

If you want a romance with realistic characters that elicit raw emotions, delivers characters you will be attached to and tells a heart-breakingly beautiful story of love and the sacrifices one is willing to make for it, do not hesitate to read the California Dreaming series. It is one of my top all time favorite romance series, and I cannot wait for the final book!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️

[Busychapterbelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been a devoted admirer of Mick ever since the initial publication of the first book, When There Was Us. He embodies the ideal person everyone desires: the ultimate best friend, the son deeply cherished by every mother despite his own shortcomings, and the heart belonging exclusively to Jax. The book When There Was Her reveals so much more about Mick that we've longed to see. Describing his journey from youth to the man he became is challenging, but it's all worth it. His history illuminates his character. I admit I felt a bit annoyed by his choice to help Remy so much more than he deserved, yet I understand; he is a loyal friend and a truly selfless partner, even though I wished he were just a bit selfish when it came to his relationship with Jax. The conclusion was shocking; I certainly wasn't anticipating it. K.C., what are you doing to me??? I won't reveal plot details, but if you haven't started the California Dreaming series, you absolutely must check them out. The 1980s represented a distinct lifestyle that some might not grasp, but it was an era many enjoyed experiencing, particularly with muscle cars, and hot babes.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

When There Was Her is the third book in the California Dreaming series. You don't have to read the others to read this one. But I highly recommend you do, because they are all so good.

This book is told from Mick's point of view. Mick, the extremely attractive, likable MMC from the books one and two, who puts the needs of others ahead of himself to the point that it is heartbreaking at times. We get glimpses of his life from his childhood through adulthood. We get an understanding of why he made the choices he did, especially in regard to Jax. We watch him navigate family, friendships, love and loss.

When There Was Her will bring you back in time to California in the 1980's. Hot guys, muscle cars and so many emotions. I laughed, screamed, cried and was even shocked by an ending I didn't see coming.

This book took me on an emotional roller coaster ride in the best possible way. And now I anxiously away the next book in the series.

[Jennifer Barker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you K.C. For this ARC. ❤️ I loved this 3rd installment in the California Dreaming series. You don’t have to read the other two books first but it is highly recommended to get the most enjoyment!

‘When There was Her’ is told in Mick’s POV. He is the hot mechanic MMC that falls fast for Jax. Seeing his side of the story from glimpses of his heartbreaking childhood to teen and adult was so eye opening. It gave so much understanding to his character development. He is such a loyal friend and son, it was hard to see some of his choices and him putting everyone he cares about first.

This story had so many emotions! It was fun and steamy to see the romance of Mick and Jax play out. Their chemistry, tension and angst was something on another level. They truly had such a passion for each other it was electric. I was laughing, swooning, tearing up and then even shocked by that ending! I absolutely can’t wait to see what is next and get more of Mick!

[Crystal DiBlasio · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could right a whole big review about how great this book and series is. But I don’t think I’ll have enough space to write all the things I’d love to say. The author has done an outstanding job with book 3. She really gives you another point of view which totally alters your feelings about Mick. I would recommend this book and the others a hundred times over. If you ain’t reading it you’re missing out!!

[Miss 80's Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full review to come....4.5 ⭐